COLLINSVILLE, Alabama -- Collinsville police made startling discovery Wednesday morning. They found a large collection of dogs either dead or cooped up in what Assistant Chief Rex Leath called "horrible" conditions.

Police received an anonymous complaint about a foul stench coming from somewhere on Gregory Avenue Wednesday morning. Leath said officers searched the wooded areas behind a home and found 27 dogs cooped up in pens. He said five of those were already dead while the others were uncared for and living in terrible conditions. Leath said only skeletal remains were left of three of the deceased dogs because the others had eaten them.

"It's probably one of the worst things I've seen in 30 years on the job," said Leath.

Leath said eight of the living dogs appeared to be in good shape, while the remaining 14 displayed varying levels of poor conditions. The animals were taken in for treatment. He estimated most of the animals, which consisted of beagles and hound dogs, have been there approximately three months.

He said the owner didn't live there but left the dogs in the care of relatives because he had health issues.

"This does not condone what happened to those dogs," he said.

Leath said two people will be face charges, which should be announced shortly.